WATKINS, Donald Lee

West Valley View, Avondale, Arizona Friday, February 10, 2012 Donald Lee Watkins, 81, of Litchfield Park died Feb. 5, 2012. Mr. Watkins was born Dec. 15, 1930, in Jacksonville, Ill. He attended Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., where he received a bachelor's degree in business education. He then received a bachelor's in accounting and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan. He also attained a master's in educational administration from the University of New Mexico. In 1954, he joined the Air Force and served 23 years, including at O'Hare International Airport; Selfridge Air Force Base; the University of Michigan; Albuquerque, N.M.; Nevada Nuclear Test Site; Panama; Easter Island; Punta Arenas, Chile; Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; Thailand and Luke Air Force Base. He retired from the Air Force in 1977 as a lieutenant colonel. He then began his next career with the Luke Federal Credit Union, where he retired as president in 1995. He was a longtime member of the Church at Litchfield Park and the Estrella Rotary Club. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty Lou; three sons Tom, David and Randy; one daughter, Diane Woodburn; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. today at the Church at Litchfield Park, 300 N. Old Litchfield Road in Litchfield Park. Memorials can be made to the Estrella Rotary Club or the Church at Litchfield Park.